The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-11-05
THE NERVE OF MISSIONS.
BY REV. H. W. RUGG.

An address at the General Convention, New
York, Thursday evening, Oct. 20.
One of the remarkable characters
tics of Christianity is the tendency
which it always sho VS. to spread itself
abroad. A principle of moral diffusive-
ness so pervades the gospel that it can
not be held within any narrow, pre-
scribed boundaries. Its genius is to
burst outward and flow on forever in
ever widening channels of blessing and
helpfulness.
In the essential ideas of the gospel,
as in the record made of Christian
achievements, we find the promise of its
increasing power and final supremacy
in the rule of all lands and hearts. But
it must be kept in mind that such prog
ress is made and such victory assured
only by the use of wisely appointed
means and agencies. There must be
valiant workers for the desired consum-
mation-men charged with the spirit of
an earnest proselytism, Jealous to pro-
claim the truths of the gospel, ready to
labor in season and out of season for
the multiplication of Christian church
es, institutions, resources, and bless
ings.
Thus we have Christian missions, the
expression of Christian faith and devo-
ton. The term is broad enough to in
clude whatever is sent out-whatever
is radiated by and from Christianity.
1t may not all be one and the same
work. The scope of individual duty,
and of church obligation, will be of
narrower or more extended limits ac-
cording to what are the conditions for
the time being, but always and every
where the believer must stand upon
this proposition, that since the gospel
designs to spread its light and truth by
making every Christian depository of
its spirit and an almoner of its grace,
the duty of diffusing the gospel devolves
upon all who have experienced it's life
giving power and are ready to accept a
disciples place. The individual be-
lever, whoever he may be, whatever his
gifts or limitations, is bound to be a
witness for Christ in some tangible
way; and every body of believers
every branch of the Church of Christ
whether comprised of many or few
members, having large or slender re-
sources, is bound to work up to the full
limit of its ability for the extending of
the kingdom of Christ. 1t can justify
its existence only by such aggressive
work.
That church is about ready to die,
and ought to die, whose members regard
their faith as something for ornament
rather than use; who think to be recip-
tents rather than communications of the
truth who propose to enjoy their re-
ligion in selfish sort of way, being in
different to the Macedonian cries for
help.
That church only will live and thrive
as fruitful branch of the Christian
tree whose members are active in every
department of benefcent endeavor, re-
cognizing positive work that must be
done for truths sake and for the Cos
pel's sake
Just here it is we come to such prac-
tical questions as these: What is the
right basis of moral and religious workp
How can we best advance the kingdom
of Christ /? What are the strong in
elements to missionary work at home
and abroad ?
If we can rightly answer these ques-
tions, we shall touch "the nerve of mis-
sions," and find out what is that pro-
ductive force which leads, not only to
the prosecuting of all Christian enter
prises, but to the living of genuine,
manly and useful life, patterned after
the one perfect type of human excel
lence.
At the outset it should be said that
LILO ucINC Vi mAoolOho- lAO AuAunAuCu-
tai motive in Christian works. the
moral nerve of our being. There is
sense of responsibility stamped on the
soul, an instinct of right and duty be-
longing to mans moral nature, the
promptings of which count for much
both in the discernment of God and his
law, and in the practice of whatever is
thus enjoined. Thus obedience comes
by the exercise of this quality of the
soul-by this contact of the Divine with
the human spirit. A man hears the
call of God and feels he has no choice
but to obey. He is taken out of sell
fishness, transformed in the feelings
and purposes of his life, and prepared
for noblest service. Luther felt this
influence when he said, II am no longer
master of M self am possessed by a
power that hurries and drives me to my
work Z" Moses saw the glory of God
revealed in the burning bush, heard the
voice of God speaking to his quickened
soul, and he felt that he must under
take a missionary work that he must
go forth and demand the release of his
people; and instruct, comfort, and help